THE four walls of this friendly ranch-type house enclose just 1,229 square feet of floor area, but the plan puts every foot to such good use that it gives the illusion — and the livability — of twice the space. The most distinctive feature of the plan is the T-shaped living-dining-study area, an arrangement which gives the effect of separate rooms without cutting down on the feeling of spaciousness that comes from open planning. Noteworthy features of this living area are the window wall overlooking the terrace, the wall of bookshelves in the study area, the handsome fireplace and the island of closets which sets off an entry and a hall to the bedroom area.

The roof of the house extends over the 28-foot front porch and affords it complete protection. In the back, the roof extends half-way out over the 29-foot terrace, making it a comfortably shaded spot for outdoor living.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

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TODAY’S home builder faces a real challenge when it comes to finding a plan which combines a distinctive exterior, a livable floor plan and top-quality construction at minimum cost. One look at the plan shown here and you’ll see that it more than meets these specifications — and it even includes such luxury features as whole walls of glass and a large, roofed and partially enclosed terrace.

Concrete masonry construction effects an important initial saving, plus the continuing economy of low maintenance costs (it reduces fire hazards, too). This type of construction, plus insulation, keeps the house comfortable the year round.

The exterior of this house has simple, clean-cut lines, with the projecting car port adding an interesting touch. Note the half-wall and the intricate lattice work that lift the car port out of the ordinary.

From the car port there is a covered entrance to the kitchen — and it's just a few steps to the front door.

The built-up roof, designed to turn back the sun's heat, has a wide overhang which also protects the windows from glare. The roof even extends out over the terrace across the back of the house (note also that the walls of the house come well out along the sides of the terrace). Sheltered as it is, this terrace will be the family's favorite spot for relaxing and outdoor dining.

The thoroughly efficient arrangement of the kitchen will be a joy to the homemaker. The bedrooms (just look at the storage space in them!) are large, and each has sliding doors opening onto the terrace. The master bedroom extends the entire length of the house and has three-way ventilation.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

Gemini AI Rendering

THIS climate-wise plan is a natural for the South. The generous window areas are arranged to provide cross-ventilation throughout the house, and the wide eaves overhanging the picture window protect the living room from the high-riding summer sun, helping to keep the house comfortable in even the warmest Gulf Coast areas. Yet the design is one that would be equally at home in the cooler sections of the Upper South.

The exterior is smart and simple. The long line of the front is relieved by the slight projection of the living room, and the shutters add a contrast of texture and color to the brick walls. The single column supporting the roof of the front porch matches the columns of the car port.

The house has the flexible rectangular floor plan. One of its outstanding features is a 31-foot living-dining room. The rest of the house is proportionately spacious. The bedrooms are 12 by 14 feet, the study is 13 by 14 feet, and the large kitchen includes a roomy breakfast area and space for laundry equipment in addition to a convenient sized working area. And there are two full baths, each with a built-in dressing table. The study will be the family’s favorite room. With its picture window overlooking the garden, it makes a delightful retreat. And it will serve equally well as a library, television room, family living room or guest room. Besides the closets in the bedrooms, there are two hall closets, a pantry in the service hall, and an oversized closet for tools in the car port.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

Gemini AI Rendering

In this little house you will find many of the most appealing features of the ever-popular ranch-style architecture, minus the spreading floor plan that sometimes presents a problem to the city-dweller because of the wide front footage it requires. The compactness of this plan makes it ideal for the average city lot, and the simple lines of the exterior make it suitable for almost any neighborhood.

While the width of the house isn't an important consideration if you are building in the country, you do have to give special attention to the suitability of the plan for its site. The warm earth tones of the stained wood siding and the native stone of the plant box tie this house in beautifully with a rustic setting.

The floor plan is a model of convenience and livability. Both bedrooms are good sized and have large closets with sliding doors. The front bedroom has two exposures and the back bedroom has three, affording ample light and ventilation. The bathroom has the popular built-in counter-top lavatory and a tub that can be enclosed for a shower.

The living room is unusually large for a house of this size, and the ireplace also serves as a partial partition between living and dining areas.

The efficiently arranged kitchen has space for a laundry. There is a handy work surface on each side of the stove, a serving counter by the dining area and a window above the sink overlooking the garden.

The exterior of the house has a warm and friendly air. The wood siding — which can be stained or painted — is accented by contrasting shutters and an unusually large L-shaped planting box constructed of stone. The car port has a storage closet for garden tools.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

Gemini AI Rendering

OUTSIDE, this friendly house reflects the charm of yesterday, but step inside and there is the convenience and the openness of living areas that characterize the home of today.

A fireplace forms the only separation between the living and dining areas, and only a serving table (which can also be pressed into service as a breakfast bar) marks the spot where the dining area ends and the kitchen begins. Because of its convenience in entertaining, this open type of kitchen is sometimes referred to as a "party" kitchen, but it is equally practical for everyday family use. A home-laundry set-up is tucked in a corner, and there are handy work surfaces by both the range and the refrigerator and counter space on each side of the double sink.

There are three large bedrooms, but if yours is a two-bedroom family, the front bedroom with the interesting window treatment would make a delightful library or den. All bedrooms have enough wall space for good furniture arrangement.

The house has a bath-and-a-half, a practical and economical plan for the three-bedroom home. The tub in the bathroom is so situated that it can be enclosed for a shower.

The outstanding feature of the exterior is the wide, curving driveway, which eliminates backing the car out to the street. It is also a boon to guests, especially during cold or rainy weather, since they can step directly from the car to the protected entry; for family traffic, there is a door from the double garage to one of the bedrooms.

The lines of the house are simple and dignified, and the skillful combination of wood paneling, wood shingles and brick veneer adds textural interest to the exterior.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

Gemini AI Rendering

THIS two-bedroom house cuts building costs without sacrificing those little extras that make for good living — quite an achievement in these inflationary times. First of all, it is of economical frame construction. And it is practically square — the least expensive shape to build — yet the low-pitched roof and the car port give it the long, ground-hugging lines that are so popular. A distinctive front door, wood shingled walls and the columns of the porch lend interest to the simple and straightforward exterior. 

From the protected entrance, the front door opens into the 26-foot-long living-dining area. And here is one of those extras just mentioned — plenty of wall space for large pieces of furniture. Another of the plus features of this well-integrated plan is the generous amount of storage space. Both bedrooms have twin closets with sliding doors. There is a pair of roomy closets in the hall (as well as a closet for the heating unit), a linen closet in the bathroom and a coat closet by the front door.

The convenient L-shaped kitchen provides additional eating space and it has one especially handy feature that will appeal to any cook — a large working surface on each side of the range. A utility room, with space for a complete home laundry, adjoins the kitchen. Cross-ventilation throughout the house keeps it pleasantly cool in summer, while a central heating unit takes care of winter chill.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

Gemini AI Rendering